Okada Named Square Enix Prez

Daishiro Okada has been named president and COO of Square Enix Inc., the publisher of Square Enix interactive products in North America. Okada, who has also been appointed to the company’s Board of Directors, replaces outgoing president and COO Ichiro Otobe, who will assume new responsibilities at Square Enix Co. Ltd.

The company says the appointment of Okada is part of its efforts to expand business in the North American market. “Mr. Okada is a seasoned executive who will be a key force in capturing the full potential of Square Enix’s abundant collection of high quality digital content,” comments Yoichi Wada, president of Square Enix Co. Ltd. “With the landscape of the industry moving at an extremely quick pace, his extensive experience as a corporate executive and rich background in both the technology and financial sectors will successfully lead our North American business.”

Okada joined Square Enix Co. Ltd. in January of 2005 as senior exec. Before that, he was representative director and COO for a Japanese technology firm and built a successful career as a banker with Deutsche Bank AG Group Japan and The Industrial Bank of Japan (currently, Mizuho Financial Group).

Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Square Enix Co. Ltd. is home to such best-selling video game franchises as Final Fantasy andDragon Quest. More information on the company and its titles can be found at www.square-enix.com/na.